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Kate Humble visited the Gerddi-Bluog herd of Welsh Black cattle to see how Jessica and Hugh prepare them for showing

Leading the interviews that day was Kate Humble, who will present a nightly highlights programme on BBC1 Wales during Royal Welsh week.

The 7pm programme, which follows a number of exhibitors in the build-up to the show, will also feature contributions from guest presenters Cerys Matthews, comedian Omar Hamdi, gardener Rachel de Thame and chef Andi Oliver.

For Welsh Black exhibitors, it is the coats of their show animals that often demand the biggest commitment.

As winter coats are shed, a regular cycle of washing and blow-drying begins. The process can take up to an hour. For some exhibitors, it is a daily exercise, but the Gerddi-Bluog show cattle are rinsed weekly.

“It’s to get rid of all the dust and dead hair,” said Jessica, 33, a public protection officer for Gwynedd Council who also consults for Farming Connect and has just become an Agrisgop leader.

“My father does most of it, as well as all the halter training. He’s 79 now but I couldn’t do without him.”

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Young bull Gerddi Bluog Rhinog was interbreed male beef champion at last month's Aberystwyth and Ceredigion County Show (Image: Robert Parry Jones)

For some, competitive involvement may end before Monday lunchtime. Depending on results, others will aim for bigger things. By bringing three cattle, the Gerddi-Bluog team will also step out into the pairs and group competitions.

“Just getting a rosette in the classes is nice,” said Jessica.

This year will be the couple’s 13th show together. Both Welsh Black enthusiasts, they met at Llanelwedd in 2005, love blossoming in the cattle lines.

Within a year they were engaged. They married in Portmeirion in 2009 and, in 2013, the twins made their Royal Welsh debut, aged just four months.

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A new trophy, in honour of Anglesey farmer OG Thomas will be presented at the 2017 Royal Welsh Show. Handing over the trophy at the society's 2017 AGM were his widow Honor and son Brian. Accepting the silverware on behalf of the society were past president Jane Davies and current president Gwilym Jenkins (Image: Robert Parry Jones)

New Welsh Black trophy in memory of breed legend

Winners of the Welsh Black bull title in 2010, Hugh and Jessica were reserve in the same competition last year. This time they are bringing two heifers and a young bull, Gerddi Bluog Rhinog 5th, who was male interbreed champion at last month’s Aberystwyth and Ceredigion Show.

As 15 months, he is fast rising but unlikely to challenge his more mature rivals for the OG Thomas trophy, to be awarded for the first time this year to the champion Welsh Black.

The silverware was donated by the Chwaen Goch family on Anglesey in memory of one of the society’s most illustrious breeders. Mr Thomas was also a chairman of the society’s council and a president of the Royal Welsh Show .

The inaugural trophy will be presented by his widow, Honor Thomas, 91. Her son, Brian, will perform the honours next year and grandson Carwyn the year after, before it reverts to a society dignitary.

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Watching the cattle competitions at the Royal Welsh Show (Image: RWAS)

Another innovation this year is the £100 sponsorship awarded by breed society to each Welsh Black exhibitor. Showing cattle can be a costly business and, in recent years, the effect has been felt on entry numbers.

Welsh Blacks are not the only breed affected but the sponsorship money is a unique gesture that has quickly proved its value: 30 Blacks and 16 exhibitors will be at the Royal Welsh this year, including three from England.

“It can be quite an expensive business for exhibitors before they even reach the show,” said society secretary Evelyn Jones.

“Last year the council passed a resolution to sponsor the exhibitors and it seems to have worked. This year we will have the best line-up of Welsh Black cattle for many years.”